by Joe Walker

TV LEGEND Bruce Forsyth picked up his long-awaited Knighthood today, but he wasn’t the only one celebrating the announcement of the Queen’s birthday honours.

Five people from the Canterbury district and Faversham also made it onto the list, awarded for extreme dedication to their work.

Kent’s Lord Lieutenant Allan Willett – who lives in Chilham - was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO).

The Order is given by the Queen only to people who have served her or the monarchy in a personal way.

Former international businessman Mr Willett has been Her Majesty’s representative in the county since 2002.

As Lord Lieutenant his duties include looking after members of the Royal Family and heads of state when they pay official visits to Kent.

Since he was appointed in 2002 there have been 95 royal visits to Kent, including five by the Queen.

Mr Willett, who will retire on his 75th birthday in August, said: “Naturally I’m delighted to be honoured in this way, especially as the Royal Victorian order is the personal gift of the Queen.”

Professor Elaine Thomas, the vice-chancellor of Canterbury’s University for the Creative Arts (UCA), scooped a CBE for her outstanding contribution to the creative arts in higher education.

The accomplished artist managed the merger of the University College with the Kent Institute of Art and Design in 2005 and oversaw the creation of UCA, which gained university status in 2008.

She said: “I am honoured to receive the CBE and delighted that the valuable role UCA plays in society has been recognised in this way.”

Also receiving a CBE was Professor Jan Pahl, a lecturer of social policy at the University of Kent.

The campaigner – awarded for her services to social science – is also chairman of the rejuvenated Canterbury Society.

Speaking about the city, she said: “Canterbury has a lot of conflicting pressures placed upon it with the number of students here, the number of visitors, the need to protect our heritage and historic buildings and the desire to leave a 21st century contribution upon the city.”

Herne Bay’s Professor Audrey Paterson, the director of professional policy for the Society of Radiographers, was given an OBE for her services to healthcare.

Faversham’s Jenny Talbot, a programme manager for the Prison Reform Trust, was honoured with the same award for her work with people with special needs.